Defending state champ McAuley girls hold off Cheverus; Bangor up next in ‘A’ state final

In the Western Class A girls’ basketball final between top-ranked, undefeated and two-time defending Class A state champion McAuley and surging No. 3 seed Cheverus, the Lions never trailed, but didn’t lock up their third straight regional title until the final seconds.

McAuley raced to a 10-0 lead and was up, 18-4, late in the first half before the Stags got a measure of confidence late in the half with five straight points to pull within nine, 18-9, at the break.

In the third period, the Lions went up by as many as 13 points, but Cheverus never gave up and when senior Victoria Nappi made a 3 with 2:03 to play, the Stags trailed by just four, 37-33. McAuley hit eight consecutive free throws with the game on the line, however, and held on to advance, 47-36.

The Lions won their 47th straight game over three seasons, improved to 20-0 and advanced to meet Bangor in the Class A state final next Saturday at 4 p.m., at the Augusta Civic Center.

Cheverus, which was exceptionally valiant during its tournament run and especially in the second half Saturday, finished a program-best 18-3. The Stags were led by 16 points from senior Brooke Flaherty in her swan song. Nappi added 11.